Fairfax County Cross Country Trail

Set in the beautiful valleys and meadows of northeastern Virginia, Fairfax Cross County Trail (also known as Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail) is a trail you won’t want to miss if you are in the area with your furry friend. The forty-plus-mile trail features a variety of terrains along the way, including asphalt, ballast, concrete, crushed stone, dirt, and gravel, and it runs along valley streams through woodland, plains, and urban settings. Needless to say, you’ll find many picturesque views as you walk along this trail, which varies in difficulty from easy to intermediate.

One aspect of the trail that makes it so popular is its endpoints. Great Falls National Park and Occoquan Regional Park mark the trail’s limits, and these are nice locations to start your hike and great places to visit in their own right. As you follow the trail, you’ll probably observe some of the wonderful wildlife native to the region, like deer, fox, amphibians, and a variety of birds.

The trail has amenities that will ensure your visit is a pleasant one. There are restrooms located at various points along the trail, and the locations are posted on the trail maps, which can be found on the official website. Great Falls National Park also has a visitor center with restrooms, a small bookshop, pamphlets with useful information, and educational exhibits with interesting facts about the area’s flora and fauna. Occoquan Park, which marks the south end of the trail, also has restroom facilities.

When visiting any trail, you should always respect the rules and regulations and be courteous to other visitors. The Cross County Trail requires our furry friends to remain leashed, and you should also bring appropriate materials to clean up after your dog.

Fairfax Cross County Trail is one of the most popular trails in Virginia, especially for dog owners — you’ll see why when you come and visit!